Amsterdam Special Interest Museums

Smell, hear, feel and see how the world works at Science centre NEMO or dive into the fascinating world of Heineken. See for yourself what it's like to live on a houseboat in Amsterdam. Experience a true voyage of discovery through the past, present and future of the plant Cannabis at The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum or enjoy a Jenever Cocktail Experience at House of Bols.
Our recommendations for Special Interest Museums in Amsterdam are:

The Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum is dedicated to the cannabis plant and its uses. All aspects of this controversial plant are explained in detail using a variety of media, including short films and photo collections. One of the artworks is a rare watercolour painting by Piet Mondrian.

The Museum Collection consists of over 6000 cannabis related items. From cultivation to consumption, from ancient ritual to modern medicine, every aspect of cannabis in human culture is represented in some way.

The former Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam offers some 3000 square metres of special exhibition space. Millions of hectolitres of Heineken beer have been brewed here until 1988. Like their pay-off says: "We’re not the Heineken Museum, we’re the Heineken Experience". Four levels of interactive experiences - see, hear, smell, taste - will take you into the fascinating world of Heineken in a fun way.

A visit to the Heineken Experience attraction takes about 90 minutes. Two drinks are included.

The Cat Cabinet is a quirky museum dedicated to the role of the cat in art and culture throughout the centuries. The museum is housed in five rooms on the first floor of one of the canal houses in the "Golden Bent" of the Herengracht. A must see for cat lovers and the rooms of the museum itself are also worthwhile seeing. They still breath the atmosphere of former residents.

The Cat Cabinet was founded in commemoration of the ginger cat John Pierpont Morgan (1966-1983).

Museum Het Schip is one of the most beautiful examples of the architectural style, Amsterdamse School. Het Schip was built as social housing and was finished in 1921. It is the most renowned work of Amsterdamse School architect Michel de Klerk. You can visit the former post office, which still has its complete original interior designed by De Klerk.

Furthermore you can visit the Museumwoning (Museum House) on the other side of the complex. There is also a lunchroom and Museum garden across the street.

Discover the unique collection of Hendrikje Ivo, who collected bags for more than 35 years. The Museum of Bags and Purses houses a collection of more than 4000 bags and is the largest museum of bags in the world. There are bags, purses, trunks, pouches, cases and accessories from the late Middle Ages until today.

They also organise exhibitions of contemporary bag designers. The museum is located in the centre of Amsterdam in a characteristic canal house, dating back to 1664.

NEMO is the largest science centre in the Netherlands. Spread out over five floors there is a lot of exciting things to do and to discover. And not just for kids. Everything in NEMO has something to do with science and technology. Exhibitions, theatre performances, films, workshops and demonstrations. You will smell, hear, feel and see how the world works.

Our personal favourite - if we still would be a kid - is NEMO's Wonder Lab, where you mix various chemicals using test tubes, flasks and cylinders.

The Tropenmuseum (Museum of the Tropics) is one of Europe’s leading ethnographic museums, renowned for its collection. The permanent and temporary exhibitions display (art) objects, photographs, music and film from non-western cultures. There are ten permanent exhibitions and an ongoing series of temporary exhibitions.

Do you miss a special interest museum that you think deserves a spot in Amsterdam Travel Guide's museum section? Send us the name of the museum - together with your motivation why we should include the museum on Amsterdam Travel Guide - via our contact form.